Continued cooperation between ACAP and ICCAT boosts hope for the conservation of albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters

ACAP Executive Secretary (left), Dr Christine BogIe, and ICCAT Executive Secretary, Camille J. P. Manel (right) signing the renewal of the Guidelines for Cooperation between the two organisations

ACAP and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) are pleased to announce the renewal of the Guidelines for Cooperation between ICCAT and ACAP Secretariat. The guidelines facilitate cooperation between ICCAT and the ACAP Secretariat with a view to supporting efforts to minimise the incidental bycatch of ACAP-listed albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters within ICCAT's Convention Area. 

ACAP Executive Secretary, Dr Christine BogIe, and ICCAT Executive Secretary, Camille J. P. Manel, signed the renewal whilst attending the recent 35th Committee on Fisheries session (COFI 35) held in Rome, Italy. 

Speaking of the renewed agreement, Dr Christine Bogle stated, "I am pleased that ACAP and ICCAT will continue to cooperate in relation to the development and enhancement of measures to protect seabirds from the impacts of fisheries in the ICCAT region".

Camille Jean Pierre Manel echoed the sentiment saying, “ICCAT thanks ACAP and welcomes this renewal of the guidelines for cooperation between our two organizations allowing us to continue strengthening this cooperation.” 

The Guidelines state  ICCAT and the ACAP Secretariat may consult, cooperate and collaborate with each other on areas of common interest that are relevant to the conservation, including the protection and management, of populations of albatrosses and petrels. These include: data collection and analysis; information exchange; the implementation of education and awareness programmes for fishers; the design, testing and implementation of bycatch mitigation measures relevant to ICCAT fisheries; reciprocal participation with observer status at the relevant meetings of ACAP and ICCAT, and more. 

The renewed Guidelines for Cooperation between ICCAT and ACAP Secretariat are available on the ACAP website, here. 

Posted 16 September 2022, updated 21 November 2023